The Italian delegation to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, led by Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Guglielmo Picchi, has returned from Manama, where the Organisation’s member states are convened, with the listing of Ivrea and having overturned the negative judgment expressed by the technical advisory body on postponing the scrutiny of the nomination of the Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano and Valdobbiadene to next year.
The result was made possible through the efforts of the diplomatic network in a series of bilateral meetings with the principal Committee members in Manama, in which a detailed illustration was given of the uniqueness of the landscape. The initiative led the absolute majority of the members to vote in favour of the enlistment of the Italian nomination as of this year, touching the two-third quorum necessary to pass the decision.
With today’s result, Italy brings the Italian sites included in the World Heritage List to 54, thus consolidating our Country’s leadership role in protecting the cultural heritage of Humankind.
“Italy leaves Manama with a stronger image and remains a key point of reference for UNESCO and an example of coherence for all Countries that want to valorise the cultural heritage of their territory and their communities,” affirmed Undersecretary Picchi. He continued: “We made our voice heard and obtained the review of the nomination of the Colline del Prosecco, rejecting a thumbs-down that seemed to be inevitable. We convinced the Committee members to reconsider the recommendations of the Organisation’s technical advisory body and recognise the cultural and social uniqueness of the Colline del Prosecco.”
“Thanks to the success recorded with the listing of Ivrea” – concluded Undersecretary Picchi – “Italy includes an innovative site in the World Heritage List, which is the expression of an industrial development with a strong social impact, thus paving the way for other similar nominations from other Countries in the future.”
